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Son JY, Heo S, Byun G, Foo D, Song Y, Lewis BM, Stewart R, Choi HM, Bell ML. A systematic review of animal feeding operations including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) for exposure, health outcomes, and environmental justice. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 259:119550. [PMID: 38964578 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite growing literature on animal feeding operations (AFOs) including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), research on disproportionate exposure and associated health burden is relatively limited and shows inconclusive findings. OBJECTIVE We systematically reviewed previous literature on AFOs/CAFOs, focusing on exposure assessment, associated health outcomes, and variables related to environmental justice (EJ) and potentially vulnerable populations. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of databases (MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science) and performed citation screening. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full-text articles and data extraction were performed independently by pairs of reviewers. We summarized information for each study (i.e., study location, study period, study population, study type, study design, statistical methods, and adjusted variables (if health association was examined), and main findings), AFO/CAFO characteristics and exposure assessment (i.e., animal type, data source, measure of exposure, and exposure assessment), health outcomes or symptoms (if health association was examined), and information related to EJ and potentially vulnerable populations (in relation to exposure and/or health associations, vulnerable populations considered, related variables, and main findings in relation to EJ and vulnerable populations). RESULTS After initial screening of 10,963 papers, we identified 76 eligible studies. This review found that a relatively small number of studies (20 studies) investigated EJ and vulnerability issues related to AFOs/CAFOs exposure and/or associated health outcomes (e.g., respiratory diseases/symptoms, infections). We found differences in findings across studies, populations, the metrics used for AFO/CAFO exposure assessment, and variables related to EJ and vulnerability. The most commonly used metric for AFO/CAFO exposure assessment was presence of or proximity to facilities or animals. The most investigated variables related to disparities were race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION Findings from this review provide suggestive evidence that disparities exist with some subpopulations having higher exposure and/or health response in relation to AFO/CAFO exposure, although results varied across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Son
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Seulkee Heo
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Garam Byun
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Damien Foo
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yimeng Song
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brandon M Lewis
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rory Stewart
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Michelle L Bell
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; School of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Cornu Hewitt B, Smit LAM, van Kersen W, Wouters IM, Heederik DJJ, Kerckhoffs J, Hoek G, de Rooij MMT. Residential exposure to microbial emissions from livestock farms: Implementation and evaluation of land use regression and random forest spatial models. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123590. [PMID: 38387543 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Adverse health effects have been linked with exposure to livestock farms, likely due to airborne microbial agents. Accurate exposure assessment is crucial in epidemiological studies, however limited studies have modelled bioaerosols. This study used measured concentrations in air of livestock commensals (Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus species (spp.)), and antimicrobial resistance genes (tetW and mecA) at 61 residential sites in a livestock-dense region in the Netherlands. For each microbial agent, land use regression (LUR) and random forest (RF) models were developed using Geographic Information System (GIS)-derived livestock-related characteristics as predictors. The mean and standard deviation of annual average concentrations (gene copies/m3) of E. coli, Staphylococcus spp., tetW and mecA were as follows: 38.9 (±1.98), 2574 (±3.29), 20991 (±2.11), and 15.9 (±2.58). Validated through 10-fold cross-validation (CV), the models moderately explained spatial variation of all microbial agents. The best performing model per agent explained respectively 38.4%, 20.9%, 33.3% and 27.4% of the spatial variation of E. coli, Staphylococcus spp., tetW and mecA. RF models had somewhat better performance than LUR models. Livestock predictors related to poultry and pig farms dominated all models. To conclude, the models developed enable enhanced estimates of airborne livestock-related microbial exposure in future epidemiological studies. Consequently, this will provide valuable insights into the public health implications of exposure to specific microbial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Cornu Hewitt
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Warner van Kersen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Inge M Wouters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick J J Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jules Kerckhoffs
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Myrna M T de Rooij
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Batterman S, Grant-Alfieri A, Seo SH. Low level exposure to hydrogen sulfide: a review of emissions, community exposure, health effects, and exposure guidelines. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:244-295. [PMID: 37431804 PMCID: PMC10395451 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2229925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas that is well-known for its acute health risks in occupational settings, but less is known about effects of chronic and low-level exposures. This critical review investigates toxicological and experimental studies, exposure sources, standards, and epidemiological studies pertaining to chronic exposure to H2S from both natural and anthropogenic sources. H2S releases, while poorly documented, appear to have increased in recent years from oil and gas and possibly other facilities. Chronic exposures below 10 ppm have long been associated with odor aversion, ocular, nasal, respiratory and neurological effects. However, exposure to much lower levels, below 0.03 ppm (30 ppb), has been associated with increased prevalence of neurological effects, and increments below 0.001 ppm (1 ppb) in H2S concentrations have been associated with ocular, nasal, and respiratory effects. Many of the studies in the epidemiological literature are limited by exposure measurement error, co-pollutant exposures and potential confounding, small sample size, and concerns of representativeness, and studies have yet to consider vulnerable populations. Long-term community-based studies are needed to confirm the low concentration findings and to refine exposure guidelines. Revised guidelines that incorporate both short- and long-term limits are needed to protect communities, especially sensitive populations living near H2S sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Batterman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
| | - Amelia Grant-Alfieri
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
| | - Sung-Hee Seo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
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Kiss P, de Rooij MMT, Koppelman GH, Boer J, Vonk JM, Vermeulen R, Hogerwerf L, Sterk HAM, Huss A, Smit LAM, Gehring U. Residential exposure to livestock farms and lung function in adolescence - The PIAMA birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115134. [PMID: 36563981 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing interest in the impact of air pollution from livestock farming on respiratory health. Studies in adults suggest adverse effects of livestock farm emissions on lung function, but so far, studies involving children and adolescents are lacking. OBJECTIVES To study the association of residential proximity to livestock farms and modelled particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) from livestock farms with lung function in adolescence. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study among 715 participants of the Dutch prospective PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort study. Relationships of different indicators of residential livestock farming exposure (distance to farms, distance-weighted number of farms, cattle, pigs, poultry, horses and goats within 3 km; modelled atmospheric PM10 concentrations from livestock farms) with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at age 16 were assessed by linear regression taking into account potential confounders. Associations were expressed per interquartile range increase in exposure. RESULTS Higher exposure to livestock farming was consistently associated with a lower FEV1, but not with FVC among participants living in less urbanized municipalities (<1500 addresses/km2, N = 402). Shorter distances of homes to livestock farms were associated with a 1.4% (0.2%; 2.7%) lower FEV1. Larger numbers of farms within 3 km and higher concentrations of PM10 from livestock farming were associated with a 1.8% (0.8%, 2.9%) and 0.9% (0.4%,1.5%) lower FEV1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher exposure to livestock farming is associated with a lower FEV1 in adolescents. Replication and more research on the etiologic agents involved in these associations and the underlying mechanisms is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Kiss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Myrna M T de Rooij
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Boer
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lenny Hogerwerf
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hendrika A M Sterk
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Ayala-Ramirez M, MacNell N, McNamee LE, McGrath JA, Akhtari FS, Curry MD, Dunnon AK, Fessler MB, Garantziotis S, Parks CG, Fargo DC, Schmitt CP, Motsinger-Reif AA, Hall JE, Miller FW, Schurman SH. Association of distance to swine concentrated animal feeding operations with immune-mediated diseases: An exploratory gene-environment study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107687. [PMID: 36527873 PMCID: PMC10962257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are a source of environmental pollution and have been associated with a variety of health outcomes. Immune-mediated diseases (IMD) are characterized by dysregulation of the normal immune response and, while they may be affected by gene and environmental factors, their association with living in proximity to a CAFO is unknown. OBJECTIVES We explored gene, environment, and gene-environment (GxE) relationships between IMD, CAFOs, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of prototypical xenobiotic response genes AHR, ARNT, and AHRR and prototypical immune response gene PTPN22. METHODS The exposure analysis cohort consisted of 6,464 participants who completed the Personalized Environment and Genes Study Health and Exposure Survey and a subset of 1,541 participants who were genotyped. We assessed the association between participants' residential proximity to a CAFO in gene, environment, and GxE models. We recombined individual associations in a transethnic model using METAL meta-analysis. RESULTS In White participants, ARNT SNP rs11204735 was associated with autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ARNT SNP rs1889740 was associated with RA. In a transethnic genetic analysis, ARNT SNPs rs11204735 and rs1889740 and PTPN22 SNP rs2476601 were associated with autoimmune diseases and RA. In participants living closer than one mile to a CAFO, the log-distance to a CAFO was associated with autoimmune diseases and RA. In a GxE interaction model, White participants with ARNT SNPs rs11204735 and rs1889740 living closer than eight miles to a CAFO had increased odds of RA and autoimmune diseases, respectively. The transethnic model revealed similar GxE interactions. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest increased risk of autoimmune diseases and RA in those living in proximity to a CAFO and a potential role of the AHR-ARNT pathway in conferring risk. We also report the first association of ARNT SNPs rs11204735 and rs1889740 with RA. Our findings, if confirmed, could allow for novel genetically-targeted or other preventive approaches for certain IMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Ayala-Ramirez
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Nathaniel MacNell
- Social and Scientific Systems, 505 Emperor Blvd Suite 400, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Lucy E McNamee
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - John A McGrath
- Social and Scientific Systems, 505 Emperor Blvd Suite 400, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Farida S Akhtari
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social and Scientific Systems, 505 Emperor Blvd Suite 400, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Askia K Dunnon
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Michael B Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop D2-01, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Stavros Garantziotis
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, BG 109 RM 109 MSC CU-01, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Christine G Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop A3-05, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - David C Fargo
- Office of Scientific Computing, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop B3-01, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Charles P Schmitt
- Office of Data Science, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop K2-02, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Alison A Motsinger-Reif
- PEGS Co-PI, Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP 101, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Janet E Hall
- PEGS Co-PI, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, BG 101 RM A222 MSC A2-03. 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Frederick W Miller
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP 101 David P. Rall Building, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Shepherd H Schurman
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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van Kersen W, Bossers A, de Steenhuijsen Piters WAA, de Rooij MMT, Bonten M, Fluit AC, Heederik D, Paganelli FL, Rogers M, Viveen M, Bogaert D, Leavis HL, Smit LAM. Air pollution from livestock farms and the oropharyngeal microbiome of COPD patients and controls. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107497. [PMID: 36088872 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution from livestock farms is known to affect respiratory health of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The mechanisms behind this relationship, however, remain poorly understood. We hypothesise that air pollutants could influence respiratory health through modulation of the airway microbiome. Therefore, we studied associations between air pollution exposure and the oropharyngeal microbiota (OPM) composition of COPD patients and controls in a livestock-dense area. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 99 community-based (mostly mild) COPD cases and 184 controls (baseline), and after 6 and 12 weeks. Participants were non-smokers or former smokers. Annual average livestock-related outdoor air pollution at the home address was predicted using dispersion modelling. OPM composition was analysed using 16S rRNA-based sequencing in all baseline samples and 6-week and 12-week repeated samples of 20 randomly selected subjects (n = 323 samples). A random selection of negative control swabs, taken every sampling day, were also included in the downstream analysis. Both farm-emitted endotoxin and PM10 levels were associated with increased OPM richness in COPD patients (p < 0.05) but not in controls. COPD case-control status was not associated with community structure, while correcting for known confounders (multivariate PERMANOVA p > 0.05). However, members of the genus Streptococcus were more abundant in COPD patients (Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted p < 0.01). Moderate correlation was found between ordinations of 20 subjects analysed at 0, 6, and 12 weeks (Procrustes r = 0.52 to 0.66; p < 0.05; Principal coordinate analysis of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity), indicating that the OPM is relatively stable over a 12 week period and that a single sample sufficiently represents the OPM. Air pollution from livestock farms is associated with OPM richness of COPD patients, suggesting that the OPM of COPD patients is susceptible to alterations induced by exposure to air pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warner van Kersen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alex Bossers
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter A A de Steenhuijsen Piters
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Myrna M T de Rooij
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marc Bonten
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ad C Fluit
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Malbert Rogers
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Viveen
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Debby Bogaert
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L Leavis
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Mendrinos A, Ramesh B, Ruktanonchai CW, Gohlke JM. Poultry Concentrated Animal-Feeding Operations on the Eastern Shore, Virginia, and Geospatial Associations with Adverse Birth Outcomes. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10102016. [PMID: 36292462 PMCID: PMC9602095 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentrated animal-feeding operations (CAFOs) emit pollution into surrounding areas, and previous research has found associations with poor health outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate if home proximity to poultry CAFOs during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). This study includes births occurring on the Eastern Shore, Virginia, from 2002 to 2015 (N = 5768). A buffer model considering CAFOs within 1 km, 2 km, and 5 km of the maternal residence and an inverse distance weighted (IDW) approach were used to estimate proximity to CAFOs. Associations between proximity to poultry CAFOs and adverse birth outcomes were determined by using regression models, adjusting for available covariates. We found a −52.8 g (−95.8, −9.8) change in birthweight and a −1.51 (−2.78, −0.25) change in gestational days for the highest tertile of inverse distance to CAFOs. Infants born with a maternal residence with at least one CAFO within a 5 km buffer weighed −47 g (−94.1, −1.7) less than infants with no CAFOs within a 5 km buffer of the maternal address. More specific measures of exposure pathways via air and water should be used in future studies to refine mediators of the association found in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Mendrinos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Balaji Ramesh
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Corrine W. Ruktanonchai
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
- Correspondence:
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8
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Son JY, Miranda ML, Bell ML. Exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and risk of mortality in North Carolina, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149407. [PMID: 34365264 PMCID: PMC8530906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have emerged as an environmental justice issue due to disproportionate siting in low-income and minority communities. However, CAFOs' impact on health is not fully understood. We examined risk of cause-specific mortality associated with CAFOs in North Carolina (NC) for 2000-2017 and health disparities. We obtained data on individual-level cause-specific mortality and on permitted animal facilities. We estimated associations between exposure to CAFOs and cause-specific mortality using logistic regression, controlling for demographics (e.g., age) and area-level covariates. To estimate exposure to CAFOs, we considered (1) a binary indicator (presence or absence) of CAFOs within a buffer around individual residence based on several buffer sizes, and (2) four levels of exposure (no, low, medium, and high) based on the number of CAFOs within 15 km around each residence. We considered individual-level (sex, race/ethnicity, age, education) and community-level (median household income, urbanicity, and region) factors. Under all buffer sizes used to estimate CAFOs exposure, people living near CAFOs had significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality than other persons. Comparing those living near CAFOs to the no exposure group, odds ratios (ORs) for cardiovascular mortality were 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00, 1.03), 1.04 (1.03, 1.06), and 1.06 (1.05, 1.07) for low, medium, and high CAFOs exposure, respectively, indicating a trend of higher risk with higher exposure. Those in the high CAFOs exposure group had significantly higher risk of anemia and kidney disease mortality than those with no exposure. Results suggest higher mortality risk from CAFOs for some subpopulations, however differences were not statistically significant. Findings provide evidence of excess mortality risk from CAFOs in NC. These results have implications for future studies of environmental justice and CAFOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Son
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Marie Lynn Miranda
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Michelle L Bell
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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9
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Guadalupe-Fernandez V, De Sario M, Vecchi S, Bauleo L, Michelozzi P, Davoli M, Ancona C. Industrial odour pollution and human health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Health 2021; 20:108. [PMID: 34551760 PMCID: PMC8459501 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the association between residential or occupational short- and long-term exposure to odour pollution from industrial sources and the health status of the exposed population. METHODS The searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE and Scopus in April 2021. Exposure to an environmental odour from industrial sources in population resident near the source or in workers was considered. We considered outcomes for which there was a biological plausibility, such as wheezing and asthma, cough, headache, nausea and vomiting (primary outcomes). We also included stress-related symptoms and novel outcomes (e.g. mood states). Risk of bias was evaluated using the OHAT tool. For primary outcomes, when at least 3 studies provided effect estimates by comparing exposed subjects versus not exposed, we pooled the study-specific estimates of odour-related effect using random effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with Higgins I2. RESULTS Thirty studies were eligible for this review, mainly cross-sectional (n = 23). Only one study involved school-age children and two studies involved workers. Only five studies reported odour effects on objective laboratory or clinical outcomes. Animal Feeding Operations and waste were the most common industrial sources. The overall odds ratios in exposed versus not exposed population were 1.15 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.29) for headache (7 studies), 1.09 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.30) for nausea/vomiting (7 studies), and 1.27 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.44) for cough/phlegm (5 studies). Heterogeneity was a moderate concern. Overall, the body of evidence was affected by a definitely high risk of bias in exposure and outcome assessment since most studies used self-reported information. CONCLUSIONS Findings underline the public health importance of odour pollution for population living nearby industrial odour sources. The limited evidence for most outcomes supports the need for high quality epidemiological studies on the association between odour pollution and its effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Guadalupe-Fernandez
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuela De Sario
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Vecchi
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa Bauleo
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Michelozzi
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Davoli
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Ancona
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1 (Italy), Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00147 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Ambient air pollution is produced by sources including vehicular traffic, coal-fired power plants, hydraulic fracturing, agricultural production, and forest fires. It consists of primary pollutants generated by combustion and secondary pollutants formed in the atmosphere from precursor gases. Air pollution causes and exacerbates climate change, and climate change worsens health effects of air pollution. Infants and children are uniquely sensitive to air pollution, because their organs are developing and they have higher air per body weight intake. Health effects linked to air pollution include not only exacerbations of respiratory diseases but also reduced lung function development and increased asthma incidence. Additional outcomes of concern include preterm birth, low birth weight, neurodevelopmental disorders, IQ loss, pediatric cancers, and increased risks for adult chronic diseases. These effects are mediated by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, endocrine disruption, and genetic and epigenetic mechanisms across the life span. Natural experiments demonstrate that with initiatives such as increased use of public transportation, both air quality and community health improve. Similarly, the Clean Air Act has improved air quality, although exposure inequities persist. Other effective strategies for reducing air pollution include ending reliance on coal, oil, and gas; regulating industrial emissions; reducing exposure with attention to proximity of residences, schools, and child care facilities to traffic; and a greater awareness of the Air Quality Index. This policy reviews both short- and long-term health consequences of ambient air pollution, especially in relation to developmental exposures. It examines individual, community, and legislative strategies to mitigate air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Brumberg
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Departments of Pediatrics and Public Health, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York; and
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11
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Uterine Cancer Mortality in White and African American Females in Southeastern North Carolina. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 2020:6734031. [PMID: 33061996 PMCID: PMC7545445 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6734031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The residents of southeastern North Carolina (NC) are exposed to multiple socioeconomic and environmental risk factors and have higher mortality rates for a number of diseases. Uterine cancer mortality is known to vary dramatically by race, so we analyzed uterine cancer mortality in populations defined by zip codes in this area to investigate the contributions of various environmental risk factors to race-specific disease patterns. Methods. Zip code specific mortality and hospital admissions for uterine cancer from 2007 to 2013 were analyzed using the NC State Center for Health Statistics data and the Inpatient Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project datafiles, respectively. Results were adjusted for age, income, education, health insurance coverage, prevalence of current smokers, and density of primary care providers. Results. Uterine cancer mortality rates were generally higher in African American (32.5/100,000, 95% CI = 18.9–46.1) compared to White (19.6/100,000, 95% CI = 12.3–26.9) females. Odds ratios (ORs) of uterine cancer death were higher in White females (OR = 2.27, p < 0.0001) residing within zip codes with hog concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) (hog density >215 hogs/km2) than in White females residing in non-CAFO communities. African American females living near CAFOs had less pronounced increase of uterine cancer death (OR = 1.08, p=0.7657). Conclusion. White females living in adjacent to hog CAFOs areas of southeastern NC have lower rates of mortality from uterine cancer than African American females, but they have higher odds of death compared to their counterparts living in other NC areas. African American females living near CAFOs also have modest increases from their high baseline mortality. While the observed associations do not prove a causation, improving access to screening and medical care is important to mitigate this health issues in southeastern NC.
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12
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de Rooij MMT, Smit LAM, Erbrink HJ, Hagenaars TJ, Hoek G, Ogink NWM, Winkel A, Heederik DJJ, Wouters IM. Endotoxin and particulate matter emitted by livestock farms and respiratory health effects in neighboring residents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 132:105009. [PMID: 31387023 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Living in livestock-dense areas has been associated with health effects, suggesting airborne exposures to livestock farm emissions to be relevant for public health. Livestock farm emissions involve complex mixtures of various gases and particles. Endotoxin, a pro-inflammatory agent of microbial origin, is a constituent of livestock farm emitted particulate matter (PM) that is potentially related to the observed health effects. Quantification of livestock associated endotoxin exposure at residential addresses in relation to health outcomes has not been performed earlier. OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess exposure-response relations for a range of respiratory endpoints and atopic sensitization in relation to livestock farm associated PM10 and endotoxin levels. METHODS Self-reported respiratory symptoms of 12,117 persons participating in a population-based cross-sectional study were analyzed. For 2494 persons, data on lung function (spirometry) and serologically assessed atopic sensitization was additionally available. Annual-average PM10 and endotoxin concentrations at home addresses were predicted by dispersion modelling and land-use regression (LUR) modelling. Exposure-response relations were analyzed with generalized additive models. RESULTS Health outcomes were generally more strongly associated with exposure to livestock farm emitted endotoxin compared to PM10. An inverse association was observed for dispersion modelled exposure with atopic sensitization (endotoxin: p = .004, PM10: p = .07) and asthma (endotoxin: p = .029, PM10: p = .022). Prevalence of respiratory symptoms decreased with increasing endotoxin concentration at the lower range, while at the higher range prevalence increased with increasing concentration (p < .05). Associations between lung function parameters with exposure to PM10 and endotoxin were not statistically significant (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to livestock farm emitted particulate matter is associated with respiratory health effects and atopic sensitization in non-farming residents. Results indicate endotoxin to be a potentially plausible etiologic agent, suggesting non-infectious aspects of microbial emissions from livestock farms to be important with respect to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrna M T de Rooij
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas J Hagenaars
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Nico W M Ogink
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands
| | - Albert Winkel
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands
| | - Dick J J Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Inge M Wouters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
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13
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Loftus C, Afsharinejad Z, Sampson P, Vedal S, Torres E, Arias G, Tchong-French M, Karr C. Estimated time-varying exposures to air emissions from animal feeding operations and childhood asthma. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 223:187-198. [PMID: 31543304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Industrial-scale animal feeding operations (AFOs) have adverse impacts on regional air quality. Air emissions include endotoxins and other pro-inflammatory components, and exposure may cause airway inflammation and respiratory effects in susceptible individuals residing nearby. We aimed to develop and validate metrics for estimating time-varying exposure to AFO air pollution in surrounding communities and, secondly, to determine whether exposure is associated with health effects in children with asthma. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal panel study of N = 58 children with asthma in an agricultural region of Washington State with a high density of dairy AFOs. Children were followed for up to 26 months with repeated measures of respiratory health (N = 2023 interviews; N = 3853 lung function measurements); urine was collected in a subcohort (N = 16) at six-day intervals over three months and analyzed for leukotriene E4 (LTE4), a biomarker of systemic inflammation (N = 138 measurements). We developed an approach to estimate daily exposure to AFO airborne emissions based on distance to AFOs, AFO size, and daily wind speed and direction, and validated the estimates against direct measurements of ammonia, a chemical marker of AFO emissions, measured biweekly at 18 sites across the region for 14 months. Short-term relationships between AFO pollutant exposure and outcomes were assessed using regression models accounting for within-participant correlation and several potential confounders. RESULTS Estimates of daily AFO air pollution correlated moderately well with outdoor ammonia measurements (N = 842; r = 0.62). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) as percent of predicted was 2.0% (95% CI: 0.5, 3.5) lower with each interquartile increase in previous day exposure, but no associations with asthma symptoms were observed. There was suggestive evidence that LTE4 concentrations were higher following days of elevated exposure to AFO emissions (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS A simple metric of time-varying exposure to AFO emissions was correlated with daily outdoor ammonia levels. Children with asthma may be adversely affected by exposure to AFO emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Loftus
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States.
| | - Zahra Afsharinejad
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Paul Sampson
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, Box 354322, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Sverre Vedal
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Elizabeth Torres
- Northwest Communities Education Center, Radio KDNA, 121 Sunnyside Ave, Granger, WA, 98932, United States
| | - Griselda Arias
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Yakima, WA, United States
| | - Maria Tchong-French
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Catherine Karr
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Box 356320, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
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14
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Schultz AA, Peppard P, Gangnon RE, Malecki KMC. Residential proximity to concentrated animal feeding operations and allergic and respiratory disease. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104911. [PMID: 31238264 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) have been associated with respiratory and allergic symptoms among farm workers, primarily on swine farms. Despite the increasing prevalence of CAFOs, few studies have assessed respiratory health implications among residents living near CAFOs and few have looked at the health impacts of dairy CAFOs. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to examine objective and subjective measures of respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living near dairy CAFOs in a general population living in the Upper Midwest of the United States. METHODS Data were from the 2008-2016 Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) cohort (n = 5338), a representative, population based sample of rural adults (age 18+). The association between distance to the nearest CAFO and the prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed allergies, asthma, episodes of asthma in the last 12 months, and asthma medication use was examined using logistic regression, adjusting for covariates and sampling design. Similarly, the association between distance to the nearest CAFO and lung function, measured using spirometry, was examined using multivariate linear regression. Restricted cubic splines accounted for nonlinear relationships between distance to the nearest CAFO and the aforementioned outcomes. RESULTS Living 1.5 miles from a CAFO was associated with increased odds of self-reported nasal allergies (OR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.38, 3.14), lung allergies (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.59, 4.66), asthma (OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.13), asthma medication (OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.65 6.62), and uncontrolled asthma, reported as an asthma episode in last 12 months (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.92) when compared to living 5 miles from a CAFO. Predicted FEV1 was 7.72% (95% CI: -14.63, -0.81) lower at a residential distance 1.5 miles from a CAFO when compared with a residence distance of 3 miles from a CAFO. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest CAFOs may be an important source of adverse air quality associated with reduced respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living in close proximity to a CAFO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Schultz
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Paul Peppard
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Ron E Gangnon
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, WI, United States of America
| | - Kristen M C Malecki
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America.
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15
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Robertson S, Douglas P, Jarvis D, Marczylo E. Bioaerosol exposure from composting facilities and health outcomes in workers and in the community: A systematic review update. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:364-386. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Ammonia, ammonium, and the risk of asthma: A register-based case–control study in Danish children. Environ Epidemiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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17
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Douglas P, Robertson S, Gay R, Hansell AL, Gant TW. A systematic review of the public health risks of bioaerosols from intensive farming. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:134-173. [PMID: 29133137 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population growth, increasing food demands, and economic efficiency have been major driving forces behind farming intensification over recent decades. However, biological emissions (bioaerosols) from intensified livestock farming may have the potential to impact human health. Bioaerosols from intensive livestock farming have been reported to cause symptoms and/or illnesses in occupational-settings and there is concern about the potential health effects on people who live near the intensive farms. As well as adverse health effects, some potential beneficial effects have been attributed to farm exposures in early life. The aim of the study was to undertake a systematic review to evaluate potential for adverse health outcomes in populations living near intensive livestock farms. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) and bibliographies were searched for studies reporting associations between health outcomes and bioaerosol emissions related to intensive farming published between January 1960 and April 2017, including both occupational and community studies. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using a customized score. RESULTS 38 health studies met the inclusion criteria (21 occupational and 1 community study measured bioaerosol concentrations, 16 community studies using a proxy measure for exposure). The majority of occupational studies found a negative impact on respiratory health outcomes and increases in inflammatory biomarkers among farm workers exposed to bioaerosols. Studies investigating the health of communities living near intensive farms had mixed findings. All four studies of asthma in children found increased reported asthma prevalence among children living or attending schools near an intensive farm. Papers principally investigated respiratory and immune system outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The review indicated a potential impact of intensive farming on childhood respiratory health, based on a small number of studies using self-reported outcomes, but supported by findings from occupational studies. Further research is needed to measure and monitor exposure in community settings and relate this to objectively measured health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa Douglas
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sarah Robertson
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
| | - Rebecca Gay
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
| | - Anna L Hansell
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Public Health and Primary Care, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
| | - Timothy W Gant
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
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18
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de Rooij MMT, Heederik DJJ, van Nunen EJHM, van Schothorst IJ, Maassen CBM, Hoek G, Wouters IM. Spatial Variation of Endotoxin Concentrations Measured in Ambient PM 10 in a Livestock-Dense Area: Implementation of a Land-Use Regression Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:017003. [PMID: 29329101 PMCID: PMC6014694 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Results from studies on residential health effects of livestock farming are inconsistent, potentially due to simple exposure proxies used (e.g., livestock density). Accuracy of these proxies compared with measured exposure concentrations is unknown. OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess spatial variation of endotoxin in PM10 (particulate matter ≤10μm) at residential level in a livestock-dense area, compare simple livestock exposure proxies to measured endotoxin concentrations, and evaluate whether land-use regression (LUR) can be used to explain spatial variation of endotoxin. METHODS The study area (3,000 km2) was located in Netherlands. Ambient PM10 was collected at 61 residential sites representing a variety of surrounding livestock-related characteristics. Three to four 2-wk averaged samples were collected at each site. A local reference site was used for temporal variation adjustment. Samples were analyzed for PM10 mass by weighing and for endotoxin by using the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Three LUR models were developed, first a model based on general livestock-related GIS predictors only, followed by models that also considered species-specific predictors and farm type-specific predictors. RESULTS Variation in concentrations measured between sites was substantial for endotoxin and more limited for PM10 (coefficient of variation: 43%, 8%, respectively); spatial patterns differed considerably. Simple exposure proxies were associated with endotoxin concentrations although spatial variation explained was modest (R2<26%). LUR models using a combination of animal-specific livestock-related characteristics performed markedly better, with up to 64% explained spatial variation. CONCLUSION The considerable spatial variation of ambient endotoxin concentrations measured in a livestock-dense area can largely be explained by LUR modeling based on livestock-related characteristics. Application of endotoxin LUR models seems promising for residential exposure estimation within health studies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2252.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrna M T de Rooij
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Dick J J Heederik
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Erik J H M van Nunen
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Isabella J van Schothorst
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Catharina B M Maassen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Inge M Wouters
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Gao X, Zhang Y, Liu Y. A kinetics study of the heterogeneous reaction ofn-butylamine with succinic acid using an ATR-FTIR flow reactor. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:15464-15472. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp01914b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Heterogeneous reaction between succinic acid thin film and gas phasen-butylamine was studied, and results show that the reaction follows Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism and overall kinetics is dominated by surface reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Gao
- The Institute of Chemical Physics
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Beijing Institute of Technology
- Beijing 100081
| | - Yunhong Zhang
- The Institute of Chemical Physics
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Beijing Institute of Technology
- Beijing 100081
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Colorado Denver
- Denver
- USA
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20
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House JS, Wyss AB, Hoppin JA, Richards M, Long S, Umbach DM, Henneberger PK, Beane Freeman LE, Sandler DP, Long O'Connell E, Barker-Cummings C, London SJ. Early-life farm exposures and adult asthma and atopy in the Agricultural Lung Health Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140:249-256.e14. [PMID: 27845237 PMCID: PMC5429211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies, mostly from Europe, suggest that early-life farming exposures protect against childhood asthma and allergy; few data exist on asthma and allergy in adults. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine associations between early-life farming exposures and current asthma and atopy in an older adult US farming population. METHODS We analyzed data from 1746 farmers and 1555 spouses (mean age, 63) from a case-control study nested within the Agricultural Health Study. Current asthma and early-life farming exposures were assessed via questionnaires. We defined atopy based on specific IgE > 0.70 IU/mL to at least 1 of 10 allergens measured in blood. We used logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, state (Iowa or North Carolina), and smoking (pack years), to estimate associations between early-life exposures and asthma (1198 cases and 2031 noncases) or atopy (578 cases and 2526 noncases). RESULTS Exposure to the farming environment in utero and in early childhood had little or no association with asthma but was associated with reduced odds of atopy. The strongest association was seen for having a mother who performed farm activities while pregnant (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74) and remained significant in models with correlated early-life exposures including early childhood farm animal contact and raw milk consumption. CONCLUSIONS In a large US farming population, early-life farm exposures, particularly maternal farming activities while pregnant, were strongly associated with reduced risk of atopy in adults. These results extend previous work done primarily on childhood outcomes and suggest that protective associations of early-life farming exposures on atopy endure across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S House
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Annah B Wyss
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC; Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | | | | | - David M Umbach
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Paul K Henneberger
- Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | | | | | - Stephanie J London
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC.
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O'Connor AM, Auvermann BW, Dzikamunhenga RS, Glanville JM, Higgins JPT, Kirychuk SP, Sargeant JM, Totton SC, Wood H, Von Essen SG. Updated systematic review: associations between proximity to animal feeding operations and health of individuals in nearby communities. Syst Rev 2017; 6:86. [PMID: 28420442 PMCID: PMC5395850 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-017-0465-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to update a systematic review of associations between living near an animal feeding operation (AFO) and human health. METHODS The MEDLINE® and MEDLINE® In-Process, Centre for Agricultural Biosciences Abstracts, and Science Citation Index databases were searched. Reference lists of included articles were hand-searched. Eligible studies reported exposure to an AFO and an individual-level human health outcome. Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction. RESULTS The search returned 3702 citations. Sixteen articles consisting of 10 study populations were included in the analysis. The health outcomes were lower and upper respiratory tracts, MRSA, other infectious disease, neurological, psychological, dermatological, otologic, ocular, gastrointestinal, stress and mood, and other non-infectious health outcomes. Most studies were observational and used prevalence measures of outcome. An association between Q fever risk and proximity to goat production was reported. Other associations were unclear. Risk of bias was serious or critical for most exposure-outcome associations. Multiplicity (i.e., a large number of potentially correlated outcomes and exposures assessed on the same study subjects) was common in the evidence base. CONCLUSIONS Few studies reported an association between surrogate clinical outcomes and AFO proximity for respiratory tract-related outcomes. There were no consistent dose-response relationships between surrogate clinical outcome and AFO proximity. A new finding was that Q fever in goats is likely associated with an increased Q fever risk in community members. The review results for the non-respiratory health outcomes were inconclusive because only a small number of studies were available or the between-study results were inconsistent. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42014010521.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M O'Connor
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
| | - Brent W Auvermann
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Rungano S Dzikamunhenga
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Julian P T Higgins
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Shelley P Kirychuk
- Department of Medicine, Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jan M Sargeant
- Department of Population Medicine and Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah C Totton
- , 63 College Avenue West, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 1S1, Canada
| | - Hannah Wood
- Department of Medicine, Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Susanna G Von Essen
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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22
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Rasmussen SG, Casey JA, Bandeen-Roche K, Schwartz BS. Proximity to Industrial Food Animal Production and Asthma Exacerbations in Pennsylvania, 2005-2012. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:E362. [PMID: 28362334 PMCID: PMC5409563 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The research on industrial food animal production (IFAP) and asthma exacerbations in the United States has relied on small sample sizes and/or self-reported outcomes. We assessed associations of proximity to large-scale and densely stocked swine and dairy/veal IFAP with three types of asthma exacerbations: hospitalizations, emergency encounters, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) medication orders from Geisinger Clinic in Pennsylvania. We used a diagnosis code (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification code 493.x) and medication orders from electronic health records to identify these exacerbations among asthma patients (n = 35,269) from 2005-2012. We compared residential proximity to swine or dairy/veal IFAP (dichotomized as <3 miles (4.8 km) or ≥3 miles) among asthma patients with and without exacerbations and estimated odds ratios using multilevel logistic regression. In adjusted models, proximity to IFAP was associated (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) with OCS orders (1.11 (1.04-1.19)) and hospitalizations (1.29 (1.15-1.46)), but not emergency encounters (1.12 (0.91-1.37)). This study contributes to growing evidence that IFAP may impact health, in this case clinically-documented asthma exacerbations. No prior study has evaluated the association of IFAP and clinically-documented asthma exacerbations in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara G Rasmussen
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Joan A Casey
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Karen Bandeen-Roche
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Brian S Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA 17822, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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23
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van Dijk CE, Zock JP, Baliatsas C, Smit LAM, Borlée F, Spreeuwenberg P, Heederik D, Yzermans CJ. Health conditions in rural areas with high livestock density: Analysis of seven consecutive years. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 222:374-382. [PMID: 28043740 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies investigating health conditions of individuals living near livestock farms generally assessed short time windows. We aimed to take time-specific differences into account and to compare the prevalence of various health conditions over seven consecutive years. The sample consisted of 156,690 individuals registered in 33 general practices in a (rural) area with a high livestock density and 101,015 patients from 23 practices in other (control) areas in the Netherlands. Prevalence of health conditions were assessed using 2007-2013 electronic health record (EHR) data. Two methods were employed to assess exposure: 1) Comparisons between the study and control areas in relation to health problems, 2) Use of individual estimates of livestock exposure (in the study area) based on Geographic Information System (GIS) data. A higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis/bronchiectasis, lower respiratory tract infections and vertiginous syndrome and lower prevalence of respiratory symptoms and emphysema/COPD was found in the study area compared with the control area. A shorter distance to the nearest farm was associated with a lower prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections, respiratory symptoms, asthma, COPD/emphysema, allergic rhinitis, depression, eczema, vertiginous syndrome, dizziness and gastrointestinal infections. Especially exposure to cattle was associated with less health conditions. Living within 500m of mink farms was associated with increased chronic enteritis/ulcerative colitis. Livestock-related exposures did not seem to be an environmental risk factor for the occurrence of health conditions. Nevertheless, lower respiratory tract infections, chronic bronchitis and vertiginous syndrome were more common in the area with a high livestock density. The association between exposure to minks and chronic enteritis/ulcerative colitis remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel E van Dijk
- NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul Zock
- NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands; ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Dr. Aiguader 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta, 0 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Christos Baliatsas
- NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Utrecht University, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division Environmental Epidemiology, Yalelaan 2, 2584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Floor Borlée
- NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands; Utrecht University, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division Environmental Epidemiology, Yalelaan 2, 2584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Spreeuwenberg
- NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dick Heederik
- Utrecht University, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division Environmental Epidemiology, Yalelaan 2, 2584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C Joris Yzermans
- NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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24
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Guidry VT, Kinlaw AC, Johnston J, Hall D, Wing S. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations at three middle schools near industrial livestock facilities. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017; 27:167-174. [PMID: 27094997 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2016.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Safe school environments are essential for healthy development, yet some schools are near large-scale livestock facilities that emit air pollution. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from decomposing manure is an indicator of livestock-related air pollution. We measured outdoor concentrations of H2S at three public middle schools near livestock facilities in North Carolina. We used circular graphs to relate H2S detection and wind direction to geospatial distributions of nearby livestock barns. We also used logistic and linear regression to model H2S in relation to upwind, distance-weighted livestock barn area. Circular graphs suggested an association between upwind livestock barns and H2S detection. The log-odds of H2S detection per 1000 m2 increased with upwind weighted swine barn area (School A: β-coefficient (β)=0.43, SE=0.06; School B: β=0.64, SE=0.24) and upwind weighted poultry barn area (School A: β=0.05, SE=0.01), with stronger associations during periods of atmospheric stability than atmospheric instability (School A stable: β=0.69, SE=0.11; School A unstable: β=0.32, SE=0.09). H2S concentration also increased linearly with upwind swine barn area, with greater increases during stable atmospheric conditions (stable: β=0.16 parts per billion (p.p.b.), SE=0.01; unstable: β=0.05 p.p.b., SE=0.01). Off-site migration of pollutants from industrial livestock operations can decrease air quality at nearby schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia T Guidry
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alan C Kinlaw
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jill Johnston
- Division of Environmental Health, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Devon Hall
- Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, Warsaw, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steve Wing
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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25
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Christenson EC, Serre ML. Integrating remote sensing with nutrient management plans to calculate nitrogen parameters for swine CAFOs at the sprayfield and sub-watershed scales. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 580:865-872. [PMID: 28017419 PMCID: PMC5326586 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
North Carolina (NC) regulates swine concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) using five-year nutrient management plans (NMPs) requiring the plant available nitrogen sprayed (PANspray) to be less than that utilized by crops (PANcrops), i.e. the PAN balance (defined as PANbal=PANspray-PANcrops) remains negative, which avoids over-spraying liquid effluent onto crops. Objectives of this research are first to characterize Duplin County sprayfields and PANbal by creating the first, open-source sprayfield spatial database created for swine CAFOs in NC (for Duplin County). Second, this paper finds that for two sub-watershed scales 199 additional catchments and 1 additional HUC12 were identified as having permitted lagoon effluent applied compared to using CAFO point locations for a total of 510 catchments and 34 HUC12s with swine CAFO sprayfields. Third, a new method disaggregates annual PANbal from NMPs using remote sensing crop data. And finally, probability that sprayfields have excess PANbal is estimated due to k, a PAN availability coefficient. The remote sensing approach finds that 9-14% of catchments in a given year and 24% of catchments over a five year period have a positive PANbal. An additional 3-4% of catchments have probability of a positive PANbal due to variability in k. This work quantifies the impact of crop rotations on of sprayfields at the catchment spatial scale with respect to PANbal and highlights some of the limitations of NMPs have for estimation of PANbal. We recommend that NMPs be permitted based on the crop rotation scenario utilizing the least PAN and that swine producer compliance to manure management practice be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Christenson
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Marc L Serre
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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26
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de Rooij MMT, Heederik DJJ, Borlée F, Hoek G, Wouters IM. Spatial and temporal variation in endotoxin and PM10 concentrations in ambient air in a livestock dense area. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 153:161-170. [PMID: 27984760 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have reported associations between farming and respiratory health in neighboring residents. Health effects are possibly linked to fine dust and endotoxin emissions from livestock farms. Little is known about levels of these air pollutants in ambient air in livestock dense areas. We aimed to explore temporal and spatial variation of PM10 and endotoxin concentrations, and the association with livestock-related spatial and meteorological temporal determinants. From March till September 2011, one week average PM10 samples were collected using Harvard Impactors at eight sites (residential gardens) representing a variety of nearby livestock-related characteristics. A background site was included in the study area, situated at least 500m away from the nearest farm. PM10 mass was determined by gravimetric analysis and endotoxin level by means of Limulus-Amebocyte-Lysate assay. Data were analyzed using mixed models. The range between sites of geometric mean concentrations was for PM10 19.8-22.3µg/m3 and for endotoxin 0.46-0.66EU/m3. PM10 concentrations and spatial variation were very similar for all sites, while endotoxin concentrations displayed a more variable pattern over time with larger differences between sites. Nonetheless, the temporal pattern at the background location was highly comparable to the sites mean temporal pattern both for PM10 and endotoxin (Pearson correlation: 0.92, 0.62). Spatial variation was larger for endotoxin than for PM10 (within/between site variance ratio: 0.63, 2.03). Spatial livestock-related characteristics of the surroundings were more strongly related to endotoxin concentrations, while temporal determinants were more strongly related to PM10 concentrations. The effect of local livestock-related sources on PM10 concentration was limited in this study carried out in a livestock dense area. The effect on endotoxin concentrations was more profound. To gain more insight in the effect of livestock-related sources on ambient levels of PM10 and endotoxin, measurements should be based on a broader set of locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrna M T de Rooij
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
| | - Dick J J Heederik
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Floor Borlée
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Inge M Wouters
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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27
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Cantuaria ML, Suh H, Løfstrøm P, Blanes-Vidal V. Characterization of exposure in epidemiological studies on air pollution from biodegradable wastes: Misclassification and comparison of exposure assessment strategies. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2016; 219:770-779. [PMID: 27692572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The assignment of exposure is one of the main challenges faced by environmental epidemiologists. However, misclassification of exposures has not been explored in population epidemiological studies on air pollution from biodegradable wastes. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of different approaches for assessing exposure to air pollution from biodegradable wastes by analyzing (1) the misclassification of exposure that is committed by using these surrogates, (2) the existence of differential misclassification (3) the effects that misclassification may have on health effect estimates and the interpretation of epidemiological results, and (4) the ability of the exposure measures to predict health outcomes using 10-fold cross validation. Four different exposure assessment approaches were studied: ammonia concentrations at the residence (Metric I), distance to the closest source (Metric II), number of sources within certain distances from the residence (Metric IIIa,b) and location in a specific region (Metric IV). Exposure-response models based on Metric I provided the highest predictive ability (72.3%) and goodness-of-fit, followed by IV, III and II. When compared to Metric I, Metric IV yielded the best results for exposure misclassification analysis and interpretation of health effect estimates, followed by Metric IIIb, IIIa and II. The study showed that modelled NH3 concentrations provide more accurate estimations of true exposure than distances-based surrogates, and that distance-based surrogates (especially those based on distance to the closest point source) are imprecise methods to identify exposed populations, although they may be useful for initial studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuella Lech Cantuaria
- The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helen Suh
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Per Løfstrøm
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Victoria Blanes-Vidal
- The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
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28
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Tajik M, Minkler M. Environmental Justice Research and Action: A Case Study in Political Economy and Community-Academic Collaboration. INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION 2016; 26:213-31. [PMID: 17827092 DOI: 10.2190/iq.26.3.b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Community-university partnerships increasingly are being created to study and address environmental injustices. This article describes a case study of one such effort and its contributions to a decade-long community struggle to curb the growth of industrial hog operations and their adverse health effects in the United States' rural south. Worldwide transformation of livestock production from family farms to large-scale industrial agricultural complexes has resulted in the degradation of local environments, with negative impacts on public health. In the rural south, the concentration of industrial livestock operations has been most pronounced in low income African-American communities. Using political economy and community-based participatory research (CBPR) as a conceptual framework, this article explores the partnership between a strong community-based organization, Concerned Citizens of Tillery, and researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Public Health to study and address this problem. The political, economic, and historical context of the partnership is examined, as are the challenges faced, and the partnership's contributions to maintaining grassroots community organizing and activism and affecting local policy change. Implications for other CBPR partnerships are discussed.
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29
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Loftus C, Yost M, Sampson P, Torres E, Arias G, Breckwich Vasquez V, Hartin K, Armstrong J, Tchong-French M, Vedal S, Bhatti P, Karr C. Ambient Ammonia Exposures in an Agricultural Community and Pediatric Asthma Morbidity. Epidemiology 2016; 26:794-801. [PMID: 26352250 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000000368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large-scale animal feeding operations compromise regional air quality in the rural US through emission of pollutants, such as ammonia gas. Exposure to airborne pollution from animal feeding operations may cause pediatric asthma exacerbations in surrounding communities. OBJECTIVES To describe spatial and temporal patterns in ambient ammonia concentrations in an agricultural region, and to investigate associations between short-term fluctuations in ammonia and subsequent changes in respiratory health in children with asthma. METHODS For 13 months in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, 14 monitors sampled ammonia in outdoor air for 24-hour periods every 6 days. School-age children with asthma (n = 51) were followed for two health outcomes: biweekly reports of asthma symptoms and quick relief medication usage, and daily measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 second. We assessed associations between each outcome and ammonia using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Twenty-four-hour ammonia concentrations varied from 0.2 to 238.1 μg/m during the study period and displayed a strong correlation with proximity to animal feeding operations. The percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 3.8% lower (95% confidence interval = 0.2, 7.3) per interquartile increase in 1-day lagged ammonia concentration and 3.0% lower (95% confidence interval = 0.5, 5.8) for 2-day lagged concentration. We observed no associations between self-reported asthma symptoms or medication usage and estimated ammonia exposure. CONCLUSIONS Ammonia concentrations were elevated in this community and strongly predicted by proximity to animal feeding operations. Ammonia's association with acute lung function decrements in children with asthma in the surrounding community may be causal or, alternatively, ammonia may be a marker for other pollutants from animal feeding operations associated with respiratory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Loftus
- From the aDepartment of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; bDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; cDepartment of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; dNorthwest Communities Education Center, Radio KDNA, Granger, WA; eYakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Yakima, WA; fPacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and gDepartment of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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30
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Hooiveld M, Smit LAM, van der Sman-de Beer F, Wouters IM, van Dijk CE, Spreeuwenberg P, Heederik DJJ, Yzermans CJ. Doctor-diagnosed health problems in a region with a high density of concentrated animal feeding operations: a cross-sectional study. Environ Health 2016; 15:24. [PMID: 26888643 PMCID: PMC4758110 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-016-0123-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing interest in health risks of residents living near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Previous research mostly focused on swine CAFOs and self-reported respiratory conditions. The aim was to study the association between the presence of swine, poultry, cattle and goat CAFOs and health of Dutch neighbouring residents using electronic medical records from general practitioners (GPs). METHODS Data for the year 2009 were collected of 119,036 inhabitants of a rural region with a high density of CAFOs using information from GIAB (high exposed population). A comparison was made with GP data from 78,060 inhabitants of rural areas with low densities of CAFOs (low exposed population). Associations between the number of CAFOs near residents' homes and morbidity were determined by multilevel (cross-classified) logistic regression. RESULTS In 2009, the prevalence of most respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions was similar in the high and low exposed population. Exceptions were pneumonia, atopic eczema and unspecified infectious diseases with an increased prevalence, and sinusitis with a decreased prevalence in the high exposed population. Within the high CAFO density region, the number of poultry, cattle and swine CAFOs near residents' homes was not associated with allergic, respiratory or gastrointestinal conditions. Conversely, each additional goat CAFO within the postal code area of residents' homes significantly increased the odds of unspecified infectious disease and pneumonia by 87 and 41 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Using GP records, pneumonia and unspecified infectious diseases were positively associated with the number of goat CAFOs near residents' homes, but no association was found between swine, cattle, and poultry CAFOs and respiratory, allergic or gastrointestinal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariëtte Hooiveld
- />NIVEL, Netherlands institute for health services research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A. M. Smit
- />Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Femke van der Sman-de Beer
- />NIVEL, Netherlands institute for health services research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge M. Wouters
- />Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christel E. van Dijk
- />NIVEL, Netherlands institute for health services research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Spreeuwenberg
- />NIVEL, Netherlands institute for health services research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dick J. J. Heederik
- />Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C. Joris Yzermans
- />NIVEL, Netherlands institute for health services research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
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31
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Angelon-Gaetz KA, Richardson DB, Marshall SW, Hernandez ML. Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers' respiratory symptoms. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2016; 89:729-37. [PMID: 26814540 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-016-1111-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies indicate that teachers have higher asthma prevalence than other non-industrial worker groups. Schools frequently have trouble maintaining indoor relative humidity (RH) within the optimum range (30-50 %) for reducing allergens and irritants. However, the potential relationship between classroom humidity and teachers' health has not been explored. Thus, we examined the relationship between classroom humidity levels and respiratory symptoms among North Carolina teachers. METHODS Teachers (n = 122) recorded daily symptoms, while data-logging hygrometers recorded classroom RH levels in ten North Carolina schools. We examined effects of indoor humidity on occurrence of symptoms using modified Poisson regression models for correlated binary data. RESULTS The risk of asthma-like symptoms among teachers with classroom RH >50 % for 5 days was 1.27 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 0.81, 2.00) times the risk among the referent (teachers with classroom RH 30-50 %). The risk of cold/allergy symptoms among teachers with classroom RH >50 % for 5 days was 1.06 (95 % CI 0.82, 1.37) times the risk among the referent. Low RH (<30 %) for 5 days was associated with increased risk of asthma-like [risk ratio (RR) = 1.26 (95 % CI 0.73, 2.17)] and cold/allergy symptoms [RR = 1.11 (95 % CI 0.90, 1.37)]. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that prolonged exposure to high or low classroom RH was associated with modest (but not statistically significant) increases in the risk of respiratory symptoms among teachers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A Angelon-Gaetz
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - David B Richardson
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen W Marshall
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michelle L Hernandez
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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32
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Casey JA, Kim BF, Larsen J, Price LB, Nachman KE. Industrial Food Animal Production and Community Health. Curr Environ Health Rep 2016; 2:259-71. [PMID: 26231503 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-015-0061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Industrial food animal production (IFAP) is a source of environmental microbial and chemical hazards. A growing body of literature suggests that populations living near these operations and manure-applied crop fields are at elevated risk for several health outcomes. We reviewed the literature published since 2000 and identified four health outcomes consistently and positively associated with living near IFAP: respiratory outcomes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Q fever, and stress/mood. We found moderate evidence of an association of IFAP with quality of life and limited evidence of an association with cognitive impairment, Clostridium difficile, Enterococcus, birth outcomes, and hypertension. Distance-based exposure metrics were used by 17/33 studies reviewed. Future work should investigate exposure through drinking water and must improve exposure assessment with direct environmental sampling, modeling, and high-resolution DNA typing methods. Investigators should not limit study to high-profile pathogens like MRSA but include a broader range of pathogens, as well as other disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan A Casey
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program, UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, 50 University Hall, Room 583, Berkeley, CA, 94720-7360, USA,
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33
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Williams DAL, McCormack MC, Matsui EC, Diette GB, McKenzie SE, Geyh AS, Breysse PN. Cow allergen (Bos d2) and endotoxin concentrations are higher in the settled dust of homes proximate to industrial-scale dairy operations. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2016; 26:42-7. [PMID: 25138294 PMCID: PMC4700044 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2014.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Airborne contaminants produced by industrial agricultural facilities contain chemical and biological compounds that can impact the health of residents living in close proximity. Settled dust can be a reservoir for these contaminants and can influence long-term exposures. In this study, we sampled the indoor- and outdoor-settled dust from 40 homes that varied in proximity to industrial-scale dairies (ISD; industrial-scale dairy, a term used in this paper to describe a large dairy farm and adjacent waste sprayfields, concentrated animal feeding operation or animal feeding operation, that uses industrial processes) in the Yakima Valley, Washington. We analyzed settled dust samples for cow allergen (Bos d2, a cow allergen associated with dander, hair, sweat and urine, it is a member of the lipocalin family of allergens associated with mammals), mouse allergen (Mus m1; major mouse allergen, a mouse urinary allergen, in the lipocalin family), dust mite allergens (Der p1 (Dermatophagoides pteronissinus 1) and Der f1 (Dermatophagoides farinae 1)), and endotoxin (a component of the cell walls of gram negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide, which can be found in air and dust and can produce a strong inflammatory response). A concentration gradient was observed for Bos d2 and endotoxin measured in outdoor-settled dust samples based on proximity to ISD. Indoor-settled dust concentrations of Bos d2 and endotoxin were also highest in proximal homes. While the associated health effects of exposure to cow allergen in settled dust is unknown, endotoxin at concentrations observed in these proximal homes (100 EU/mg) has been associated with increased negative respiratory health effects. These findings document that biological contaminants emitted from ISDs are elevated in indoor- and outdoor-settled dust samples at homes close to these facilities and extend to as much as three miles (4.8 km) away.
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Affiliation(s)
- D' Ann L Williams
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Gregory B Diette
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shawn E McKenzie
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison S Geyh
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrick N Breysse
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Angelon-Gaetz KA, Richardson DB, Lipton DM, Marshall SW, Lamb B, LoFrese T. The effects of building-related factors on classroom relative humidity among North Carolina schools participating in the 'Free to Breathe, Free to Teach' study. INDOOR AIR 2015; 25:620-30. [PMID: 25515546 PMCID: PMC4470893 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Both high and low indoor relative humidity (RH) directly impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), an important school health concern. Prior school studies reported a high prevalence of mold, roaches, and water damage; however, few examined associations between modifiable classroom factors and RH, a quantitative indicator of dampness. We recorded RH longitudinally in 134 North Carolina classrooms (n = 9066 classroom-days) to quantify the relationships between modifiable classroom factors and average daily RH below, within, or above levels recommended to improve school IAQ (30-50% or 30-60% RH). The odds of having high RH (>60%) were 5.8 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.9, 11.3] times higher in classrooms with annual compared to quarterly heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system maintenance and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.2) times higher in classrooms with HVAC economizers compared to those without economizers. Classrooms with direct-expansion split systems compared to chilled water systems had 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7, 4.4) times higher odds of low RH (<30%). When unoccupied, classrooms with thermostat setbacks had 3.7 (95% CI: 1.7, 8.3) times the odds of high RH (>60%) of those without setbacks. This research suggests actionable decision points for school design and maintenance to prevent high or low classroom RH. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study combines longitudinal measurements of classroom relative humidity with school inspection data from several schools to describe the problem of relative humidity control in schools. Our findings on how maintenance and mechanical factors affect classroom humidity provide suggestions on building operations policies and heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) design considerations that may improve classroom relative humidity control.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Angelon-Gaetz
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - D B Richardson
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - D M Lipton
- North Carolina Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - S W Marshall
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - B Lamb
- Maintenance Operations Department, New Hanover County Schools, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - T LoFrese
- Support Services, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Borlée F, Yzermans CJ, van Dijk CE, Heederik D, Smit LAM. Increased respiratory symptoms in COPD patients living in the vicinity of livestock farms. Eur Respir J 2015; 46:1605-14. [PMID: 26250492 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00265-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the effect of livestock farm emissions on the respiratory health of local residents, but results are inconsistent. This study aims to explore associations between the presence of livestock farms and respiratory health in an area of high-density livestock farming in the Netherlands. We focused especially on associations between farm exposures and respiratory symptoms within subgroups of potentially susceptible patients with a pre-existing lung disease.In total, 14 875 adults (response rate 53.4%) completed a questionnaire concerning respiratory health, smoking habits and personal characteristics. Different indicators of livestock farm exposures relative to the home address were computed using a geographic information system.Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma was lower among residents living within 100 m of a farm (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.91 and OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.93, respectively). However, >11 farms in 1000 m compared to fewer than four farms in 1000 m (fourth quartile versus first quartile) was associated with wheezing among COPD patients (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01-2.89). Using general practitioners' electronic medical records, we demonstrated that selection bias did not affect the observed associations.Our data suggest a protective effect of livestock farm emissions on the respiratory health of residents. Nonetheless, COPD patients living near livestock farms reported more respiratory symptoms, suggesting an increased risk of exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floor Borlée
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C Joris Yzermans
- Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dick Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Guidry VT, Lowman A, Hall D, Baron D, Wing S. Challenges and benefits of conducting environmental justice research in a school setting. New Solut 2015; 24:153-70. [PMID: 25085828 DOI: 10.2190/ns.24.2.c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Environmental justice (EJ) research requires attention to consequences for research participants beyond those typically considered by institutional review boards. The imbalance of power between impacted communities and those who create and regulate pollution creates challenges for participation, yet research can also benefit those involved. Our community-academic partnership designed the Rural Air Pollutants and Children's Health (RAPCH) study to provide positive impacts while measuring health effects at three low-resource public middle schools near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in North Carolina. We evaluated perceived benefits and challenges of study involvement by interviewing school staff and community liaisons who facilitated data collection. Reported benefits included enhancement of students' academic environment and increased community environmental awareness; challenges were associated mainly with some participants' immaturity. Leadership from a strong community-based organization was crucial to recruitment, yet our approach entailed minimal focus on EJ, which may have limited opportunities for community education or organizing for environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia T Guidry
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Amy Lowman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Devon Hall
- Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help (REACH), Warsaw, NC
| | - Dothula Baron
- Epidemiology Department at UNC-Chapel Hill, Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help (REACH)
| | - Steve Wing
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Shannon KL, Kim BF, McKenzie SE, Lawrence RS. Food System Policy, Public Health, and Human Rights in the United States. Annu Rev Public Health 2015; 36:151-73. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031914-122621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The US food system functions within a complex nexus of social, political, economic, cultural, and ecological factors. Among them are many dynamic pressures such as population growth, urbanization, socioeconomic inequities, climate disruption, and the increasing demand for resource-intensive foods that place immense strains on public health and the environment. This review focuses on the role that policy plays in defining the food system, particularly with regard to agriculture. It further examines the challenges of making the food supply safe, nutritious, and sustainable, while respecting the rights of all people to have access to adequate food and to attain the highest standard of health. We conclude that the present US food system is largely unhealthy, inequitable, environmentally damaging, and insufficiently resilient to endure the impacts of climate change, resource depletion, and population increases, and is therefore unsustainable. Thus, it is imperative that the US embraces policy reforms to transform the food system into one that supports public health and reflects the principles of human rights and agroecology for the benefit of current and future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry L. Shannon
- Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future,
- Department of International Health,
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205;, , ,
| | - Brent F. Kim
- Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future,
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and
| | - Shawn E. McKenzie
- Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future,
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and
| | - Robert S. Lawrence
- Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future,
- Department of International Health,
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205;, , ,
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Wing S, Lowman A, Keil A, Marshall SW. Odors from sewage sludge and livestock: associations with self-reported health. Public Health Rep 2015; 129:505-15. [PMID: 25364052 DOI: 10.1177/003335491412900609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Class B treated sewage sludge (TSS) contains microbes and toxicants and is applied to land in areas where livestock wastes may be present. We evaluated relationships of reports of TSS and livestock odors with acute symptoms and excessive flies. METHODS A total of 158 adults living near liquid TSS application sites, 85 living near cake TSS application sites, and 188 living in comparison areas responded to a household survey regarding odors, health, and demographics. We identified symptom groups using factor analysis. We used generalized estimating equations to fit linear models for associations between factor scores and odors, and Poisson models for associations with specific symptoms. RESULTS Most factor scores were similar between exposure groups. Covariate-adjusted z-scores for lower respiratory symptoms were 0.28 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.10, 0.65) higher among residents who reported moderate to very strong liquid TSS odor than among residents in comparison areas, and 0.28 (95% CI 0.05, 0.50) higher among residents who reported moderate to very strong livestock odor compared with residents reporting no or faint livestock odor. The factor score for dermatologic conditions was higher among residents who reported higher liquid sludge odor (0.27, 95% CI -0.13, 0.68), primarily due to skin rash (prevalence ratio = 2.21, 95% CI 1.13, 4.32). Excessive flies were reported twice as commonly among respondents who reported moderate to very strong TSS odor than among other residents. CONCLUSIONS Reported odors from TSS and livestock were associated with some acute symptoms. Health departments should monitor land applications of human and animal wastes and conduct surveillance of health problems reported by neighbors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Wing
- University of North Carolina, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Amy Lowman
- University of North Carolina, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Alex Keil
- University of North Carolina, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Stephen W Marshall
- University of North Carolina, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC
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Radon K. To live or not to live near a farm? Occup Environ Med 2013; 71:79. [PMID: 24213565 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2013-101790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Smit LAM, Hooiveld M, van der Sman-de Beer F, Opstal-van Winden AWJ, Beekhuizen J, Wouters IM, Yzermans CJ, Heederik D. Air pollution from livestock farms, and asthma, allergic rhinitis and COPD among neighbouring residents. Occup Environ Med 2013; 71:134-40. [PMID: 24142990 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2013-101485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is an ongoing debate regarding environmental health risks of exposures to dust and microbial agents from livestock farming in the Netherlands. The aims of the study were (1) to investigate associations between indicators of air pollution from livestock farms and asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among neighbouring residents; and (2) to assess associations between farm exposures and endotoxin levels in participants' homes. METHODS Electronic medical records of all 92 548 patients of 27 general practices in a rural area with a high density of animal farms were analysed, followed up by a case-control component using a subsample of the full population. Distance between livestock farms and home address, presence of livestock within 500 m, and particulate matter (PM)10 emissions from farms within 500 m were computed as proxies for farm exposure. Potential confounding was investigated through a case-control questionnaire study in 269 adult patients with asthma and 546 controls. Endotoxin levels were assessed in 493 homes. RESULTS Modelled PM10 emission was inversely associated with asthma, allergic rhinitis and COPD (p<0.05). A smaller distance to the nearest farm, and the presence of swine, goat and sheep farms were also inversely related to respiratory morbidity, whereas mink farms showed positive associations with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Adjustment for confounding in the case-control study did not change results. Farm exposures were not associated with endotoxin levels in neighbouring residents' homes. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, indicators of air pollution from livestock farms were inversely associated with respiratory morbidity among neighbouring residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidwien A M Smit
- Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Pavilonis BT, O'Shaughnessy PT, Altmaier R, Metwali N, Thorne PS. Passive monitors to measure hydrogen sulfide near concentrated animal feeding operations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2013; 15:1271-8. [PMID: 23681048 PMCID: PMC3962789 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00082f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of many airborne pollutants emitted by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). However, few studies have characterized ambient H2S levels near these facilities, largely due to the lack of low-cost, reliable, and easily transportable instrumentation available to researchers. We determined intermediate environmental H2S exposure near CAFOs using Radiello passive monitors. First, a laboratory study was performed to determine the accuracy of the device. Next, a total of eight passive H2S monitors were deployed bi-weekly in close proximity (<40 m) to a medium-sized swine confinement for seven months in order to determine the temporal and spatial variability of H2S. Finally, we measured H2S concentrations across two rural Iowa counties to characterize ambient exposure near thirteen CAFOs and two schools. The value of the temperature-adjusted H2S passive diffusion rate provided by the supplier was 29% larger than the 24 h rate determined experimentally. Concentrations of H2S measured near the medium-sized confinement were varied and ranged from 0.2 to 48.6 ppb depending on the sampling period and proximity to a lagoon on the property. Two-week concentrations near the schools were low (<1 ppb), while concentrations near the thirteen CAFOs ranged from 0.1 to 42.9 ppb. The passive monitors were effective in measuring H2S concentrations near a swine CAFO as long as they were exposed for a sufficient period of time (two weeks). Radiello passive monitors are a promising new device in measuring intermediate H2S exposure in rural populations. Measured values in excess of an Iowa state limit of 30 ppb (24 h average) suggest that enforcement actions are needed to mitigate H2S migration from swine CAFOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Pavilonis
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Pavilonis BT, Sanderson WT, Merchant JA. Relative exposure to swine animal feeding operations and childhood asthma prevalence in an agricultural cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2013; 122:74-80. [PMID: 23332647 PMCID: PMC3980580 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2012.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Large swine animal feeding operations (AFOs) have become the model of livestock production throughout the United States. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown an increase in adverse respiratory symptoms among workers at AFOs. However, the impact on communities surrounding these facilities is still being investigated. We evaluated the association between relative environmental exposure to AFOs and the prevalence of prescribed medication for wheeze and/or childhood asthma in rural Iowa. Demographic and health information on 565 children aged 0-17 was obtained from a previous population-based cohort study while data on the AFOs were collected from publically available tax records. We created a metric of each child's relative environmental exposure to swine CAFOs which incorporated the size of the AFO as well as distance and wind direction. We determined the association between self-reported prescription medication for wheeze and/or self-reported physician diagnosed asthma and relative exposure while controlling for recognized risk factors using correlated logistic regression. The prevalence of childhood asthma in the cohort was 11.0% while 22.7% of children had been previously prescribed medication for wheeze or had a lifetime asthma diagnosis. Children with a larger relative environmental exposure to AFOs had a significantly increased odds of both outcomes (OR=1.51, p=0.014 asthma; OR=1.38, p=0.023 asthma or medication for wheeze). When stratified into exposure quartiles a linear trend was observed with asthma or medication for wheeze as the dependent variable but not with asthma alone. This study is the first to investigate children's cumulative relative exposure to smaller AFOs and adds to the growing volume of literature supporting a link between proximity to swine AFOs and adverse respiratory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Pavilonis
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Abstract
Children residing in rural settings may encounter environmental hazards derived from agricultural production activities. Health consequences of organic dusts, farm chemicals including pesticides, machinery noise, excess sun exposure, and zoonotic infectious agents have been clearly described among farm-working adults. The author reviews the related evidence base on child health with a life-stage perspective on their differential exposure and vulnerabilities. Methemoglobinemia among infants consuming nitrate-contaminated well water, neurodevelopmental health impacts associated with early life exposure to organophosphate pesticides, and diarrheal disease due to zoonotic infectious agents are well-described pediatric concerns. There is suggestive but more limited evidence for respiratory health consequences from air contaminants associated with confined animal feeding operations and hearing deficits for children exposed to machinery-related noise. Many contaminants of concern for children in these environments remain largely understudied-diesel exhaust, biomass burning, solvents, veterinary antibiotics, and silica-containing particulate matter. Overall, the state of knowledge and programmatic activities on agriculturally derived environmental contaminants and child health is immature and much less complete than for working adults. This overview provides a context for research, policy, and programmatic needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Karr
- Department of Pediatrics, NW Pediatric Environmental Heath Specialty Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
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Lobdell DT, Jagai JS, Rappazzo K, Messer LC. Data sources for an environmental quality index: availability, quality, and utility. Am J Public Health 2011; 101 Suppl 1:S277-85. [PMID: 21836111 PMCID: PMC3222503 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2011.300184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An environmental quality index (EQI) for all counties in the United States is under development to explore the relationship between environmental insults and human health. The EQI is potentially useful for investigators researching health disparities to account for other concurrent environmental conditions. This article focused on the identification and assessment of data sources used in developing the EQI. Data source strengths, limitations, and utility were addressed. METHODS Five domains were identified that contribute to environmental quality: air, water, land, built, and sociodemographic environments. An inventory of possible data sources was created. Data sources were evaluated for appropriate spatial and temporal coverage and data quality. RESULTS The overall data inventory identified multiple data sources for each domain. From the inventory (187 sources, 617 records), the air, water, land, built environment, and sociodemographic domains retained 2, 9, 7, 4, and 2 data sources for inclusion in the EQI, respectively. However, differences in data quality, geographic coverage, and data availability existed between the domains. CONCLUSIONS The data sources identified for use in the EQI may be useful to researchers, advocates, and communities to explore specific environmental quality questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danelle T Lobdell
- Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
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Williams DL, Breysse PN, McCormack MC, Diette GB, McKenzie S, Geyh AS. Airborne cow allergen, ammonia and particulate matter at homes vary with distance to industrial scale dairy operations: an exposure assessment. Environ Health 2011; 10:72. [PMID: 21838896 PMCID: PMC3184623 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-10-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/12/2011] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community exposures to environmental contaminants from industrial scale dairy operations are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of dairy operations on nearby communities by assessing airborne contaminants (particulate matter, ammonia, and cow allergen, Bos d 2) associated with dairy operations inside and outside homes. METHODS The study was conducted in 40 homes in the Yakima Valley, Washington State where over 61 dairies operate. RESULTS A concentration gradient was observed showing that airborne contaminants are significantly greater at homes within one-quarter mile (0.4 km) of dairy facilities, outdoor Bos d 2, ammonia, and TD were 60, eight, and two times higher as compared to homes greater than three miles (4.8 km) away. In addition median indoor airborne Bos d 2 and ammonia concentrations were approximately 10 and two times higher in homes within one-quarter mile (0.4 km) compared to homes greater than three miles (4.8 km) away. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that dairy operations increase community exposures to agents with known human health effects. This study also provides evidence that airborne biological contaminants (i.e. cow allergen) associated with airborne particulate matter are statistically elevated at distances up to three miles (4.8 km) from dairy operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D'Ann L Williams
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Patrick N Breysse
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Pumonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Meredith C McCormack
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Pumonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Gregory B Diette
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Pumonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Shawn McKenzie
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Alison S Geyh
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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Air pollution, lung function, and physical symptoms in communities near concentrated Swine feeding operations. Epidemiology 2011; 22:208-15. [PMID: 21228696 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0b013e3182093c8b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concentrated animal feeding operations emit air pollutants that may affect health. We examined associations of reported hog odor and of monitored air pollutants with physical symptoms and lung function in people living within 1.5 miles of hog operations. METHODS Between September 2003 and September 2005, we measured hydrogen sulfide (H2S), endotoxin, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM2.5-10) for approximately 2-week periods in each of 16 eastern North Carolina communities. During the same time periods, 101 adults sat outside their homes twice a day for 10 minutes, reported hog odor and physical symptoms, and measured their lung function. Conditional fixed-effects logistic and linear regression models were used to derive estimates of associations. RESULTS The log odds (±1 standard error) of acute eye irritation following 10 minutes outdoors increased by 0.53 (±0.06) for every unit increase in odor, by 0.15 (±0.06) per 1 ppb of H2S, and by 0.36 (±0.11) per 10 μg/m of PM10. Odor and H2S were also associated with irritation and respiratory symptoms in the previous 12 hours. The log odds of difficulty breathing increased by 0.50 (±0.15) per unit of odor. A 10 μg/m increase in mean 12-hour PM2.5 was associated with increased log odds of wheezing (0.84 ± 0.29) and declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (-0.04 ± 0.02 L). A 10 EU/mg increase in endotoxin was associated with increased log odds of sore throat (0.10 ± 0.05), chest tightness (0.09 ± 0.04), and nausea (0.10 ± 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pollutants measured near hog operations are related to acute physical symptoms in a longitudinal study using analyses that preclude confounding by time-invariant characteristics of individuals.
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Advancing industrial livestock production: health effects research and sustainability. Epidemiology 2011; 22:216-8. [PMID: 21293206 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0b013e318209d3a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Comparison of Personal Formaldehyde Levels in Anatomy Laboratories of 5 Physical Therapist Education Programs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1097/00001416-201107000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Schulze A, Römmelt H, Ehrenstein V, van Strien R, Praml G, Küchenhoff H, Nowak D, Radon K. Effects on pulmonary health of neighboring residents of concentrated animal feeding operations: exposure assessed using optimized estimation technique. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2011; 66:146-54. [PMID: 21864103 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2010.539635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Potential adverse health effects of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which were also shown in the authors' Lower Saxony Lung Study, are of public concern. The authors aimed to investigate pulmonary health effect of neighboring residents assessed using optimized estimation technique. Annual ammonia emission was measured to assess the emission from CAFO and from surrounding fields. Location of sampling points was optimized using cluster analysis. Individual exposure of 457 nonfarm subjects was interpolated by weighting method. Mean estimated annual ammonia levels varied between 16 and 24 μg/m³. Higher exposed participants were more likely to be sensitized against ubiquitous allergens as compared to lower exposed subjects (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-13.2). In addition, they showed a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) (adjusted mean difference in % of predicted -8%; 95% CI -13% to -3%). The authors' previous findings that CAFOs may contribute to burden of respiratory diseases were confirmed by this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Schulze
- Unit for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Clinical Centre of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Jagai JS, Griffiths JK, Kirshen PH, Webb P, Naumova EN. Patterns of protozoan infections: spatiotemporal associations with cattle density. ECOHEALTH 2010; 7:33-46. [PMID: 20229128 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-010-0286-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2009] [Revised: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Waste from cattle production contains protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia, which can be transmitted to humans. People residing in areas of high cattle density may be at increased risk for protozoan infections. The objective of this study was to assess spatial and temporal associations between cattle density and hospitalizations for protozoan infections in the U.S. elderly. Data on protozoan infections were abstracted from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services datasets for a 14-year period (1991-2004). Cattle inventory data were abstracted from the 2002 U.S. Census of Agriculture. Counties were classified into one of five exposure categories based on both cattle density and human density. Our analyses considered differences in rates, trends, and variations in seasonal patterns based on exposure categories. Cryptosporidiosis demonstrated a trend of increasing annual rates related to increased potential exposure to cattle. Both cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis demonstrated significant seasonal patterns peaking during the fourth week of October in areas of high cattle/low population density and the second week of September in counties with low cattle/low human density, respectively. Counties with low human population density (regardless of cattle density) had the highest rate of all protozoan infections, peaking in the summer. These results demonstrate the elderly population is at increased risk of protozoan infections in areas of high cattle density, particularly cryptosporidiosis. The seasonal patterns and higher annual rates seen in rural areas suggest time-variant environmental exposures, which may be affected with geographical and temporal targeting of agricultural policies and interventions to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna S Jagai
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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